Whatharm and Conor Hoban pictured on their way to victory in front of the virtually empty stand© Photo Healy Racing
Whatharm recorded his third win at Dundalk this winter season, as he impressively claimed the Crowne Plaza Hotel Leading Jockey & Trainer Awards Handicap.
Successful on five of his last seven starts, the Pat Flynn trained Canford Cliffs gelding was sent off a 15/2 chance this evening with Conor Hoban in the saddle.
Settled in mid-division on the inner, the five-year-old took closer order approaching the straight and was ridden to the front inside the final 150 yards, keeping on strongly from there to score by two lengths. Faakhirah (17/2) finished second under Chris Hayes for Adrian McGuinness, while Leadership Race (8/1) was another half a length back in third. Settle For Bay and Merchant Of Venice were returned the 9/2 joint-favourites and they finished seventh and eleventh respectively.
Hoban said afterwards: "That was some performance stepping up in grade and it probably was his most impressive win yet. He loves being ridden that way and he's a horse to look forward to for next year.
"We joked after his last win that it would be good to get his owners (Brendan and Bridie Cooney) and Pat (Flynn) to Dubai and it might not be a joke this time next year if he keeps improving.
"He loves it around here and has now won five of his six starts at Dundalk."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
